Robert Ace Walter

Born September 25, 1929 in Pekin to Harold and Ruth (Biggs) Walter. He lived most of his life in or close to Pekin. He married Kay Crayton on July 18, 1948 in Pekin. She survives.

Also surviving are one daughter, Lisa (Park) Maquet of Sparta, TN; two sons, Eric Walter of Key West, FL and Daniel (Karen) Walter of Macomb; 5 grandchildren, Kaydee, Kristen, Bryce, Ainsley and Grant.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Ace served his country during the Korean conflict in the United States Army, rising to the rank of Sergeant. He left the Army Reserves as a Master Sergeant.

He was a graduate of Pekin Community High School class of 1947 and of Caterpillar, Inc’s four year machinist’s program. He retired in 1985 from Caterpillar, Inc. after 38 years of service. He kept himself active and happy on his fifty acres on Mennonite Church Road and on the Tazewell County Duck Club which he and a buddy created from a swamp. Always an outdoorsman, he hunted ducks, geese, pheasant and turkey successfully. Summertime meant fishing.

Ace had been a member of Ducks Unlimited in Pekin where he served on the membership and sponsor committee. He was also a member of Tri-County Ducks & Geese Forever, Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federationand formerly in the Society of Industrial Engineers. He had also supported many other charitable organizations and programs, including Habitat for Humanity, Feed the Children, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews among others.

Ace was an active member of Second Reformed Church in Pekin where his funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 4, 2017. Rev. Bill Appleyard-Pekich will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Additional visitation will be from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. at the church. Military rites will be conducted by the Military Funeral Honors Team and the Glasford American Legion Post #35. Burial will be at White Chapel Memory Gardens in Canton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Second Reformed Church, 600 State Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com